Hello I am looking at getting a 121 carve or a 111 Carve. I currently have a 125L Sumo Angulo and am going to replace it. I have learned to use harness and footstraps proficietly and am starting to get gybes (50%). I weigh 165lbs (75kg) and ride on lakes with winds from 11knots to 30knots. My main question is I still like to have some stability for light wind days when I want to go out and pratice in non-planning conditions. Would it be possible to uphaul the 111 comfortably?

I am also wondering the difference between the tuffskin and wood boards. What are the advantages and disadvantages for each. My Angulo even with a deviator to deflect the mast from hitting the board I have put cracks in the board so I would like a board with durability as at the level I am at I am hard on my gear.

Hi Tyler,
The performance difference and thus choice between these 2 boards is pretty close - yet the wind range described is about the whole gamut of most guys shortboarding range(!!) - so to to make any sort of an accuarate/specific informed recommendation, we probably should consider the sail type/s and sizes that you would plan to use ..(most importantly, the sail/s that you will plan to do 80% of your riding on in the new board's ownership as your experience grows)

Depending on agility/balance/determination etc most intermediate 75kg guys can "reasonably" uphaul a 111Lt and this size offers more responsive ride as you progress in higher wind range and choppier water; the extra width (stability) and volume of the 121 does make the task that little bit easier/more practical, but (obviously) the larger board tends to restrict performance/response at the higher ends of the wind/board range (often a "target" area for guys buying a progressive board as they improve their skills/experience).

Construction, well it sounds like this next board would probably benefit from being TuffSkin, which although carrying a mild weight and slightly less crisp ride penalty, certainly wins out in the sort of bumps and dings resistance that you have described. 012 Carve weight penalty in these sizes is usually fairly small, making that "penalty" less of an issue. Also a bonus at the checkout.

Thanks for your information. Most of my riding is a 6.0m sail. From my understanding it would be no problem to uphaul a board of 111L? I did try a 105L one day with a 5.3 sail and this board I could not uphaul it was way too tippy.